Re: Poll: Change xref-show-definitions-function's default?

[Dmitry Gutov <dgutov@yandex.ru>]

On 31.12.2020 15:06, Daniel Martín wrote:

> I've given a spin to the new options and I think I'd prefer the
> transient option first, followed by choosing the definition from a
> buffer (like it is now).  The completing-read option feels a little bit
> akward to me because you first have to press TAB to see your options,
> and then have to TAB complete on the "artificial" syntax that xref uses
> for definitions (eg. "compile.el:(defun compile)").  The "transient"
> option feels more natural.

That's a fair criticism: the completing-read one works best when at 
least either icomplete-mode is on (preferably with 
icomplete-show-matches-on-no-input=t) so you see the options right away, 
or with Ivy completion (then you can easily choose among the options 
with C-n and C-p).

I'm fine with the "transient" version if we'll have some consensus on 
that, but I wonder what can be done to make 
xref-show-definitions-completing-read "friendlier" even with stock 
completing-read.

If we showed the default in the prompt, it would be easier to see what's 
going on. These can be pretty long lines, though, so the result might 
turn out to be clunkier, since the prompt will still be showing it even 
after you start typing, press TAB, etc.